Blood clot (DVT) risk assessment
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a collective term for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).
DVT is a common medical condition which occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg or the pelvis. DVT can block off or reduce the flow of blood in the vein and cause pain and swelling in the leg. This may result in lifelong disability with painful leg swelling, varicose veins and leg ulcers.
Sometimes the blood clot in the leg can break off and travel to the arteries of the lung where it will cause a PE—this may cause breathing difficulties and chest pain and may be fatal.
A risk assessment should be carried out for all adult patients on admission to hospital, repeated within 24 hours of admission and whenever their clinical condition changes.
If we fail to achieve the national target for completing at least 90% of risk assessments monthly, the Trust will be penalised financially.
Our risk assessment rate will be updated on this website on a monthly basis.
Current performance—% of adult patients risk assessed
| Month | % of patients risk assessed |
|---|---|
| Feb 2012 | 90% |
Previous performance—risk assessment rate 2011/12
2012
| Month | % of patients risk assessed |
|---|---|
| Jan | 92% |
2011
| Month | % of patients risk assessed |
|---|---|
| Dec | 91% |
| Nov | 91% |
| Oct | 91% |
| Sep | 92% |
| Aug | 94% |
| Jul | 91% |
| Jun | 91% |
| May | 91% |
| Apr | 91% |
Comparative performance—risk assessment rates in all acute hospitals in England 2011/12
| Time period | % of patients risk assessed—national average | % of patients risk assessed—C&W Hospital |
|---|---|---|
| Oct–Dec 2011 | Figure not yet published by Department of Health | 91% |
| Jul–Sep 2011 | 88% | 92% |
| Apr–Jun 2011 | 84% | 91% |
